Based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle, the propagation of vortex beams in a turbulent atmosphere has been investigated. It is found that the beam profile will approach to a Gaussian shape when the vortex beam propagates a distance in a turbulent atmosphere, and the topological charge and the atmospheric turbulence will influence the changes of the intensity distribution. It is also found that vortex beams can reduce the beam-spreading induced by the atmospheric turbulence. Moreover, the topological charge of the vortex beam propagating in a turbulent atmosphere has also been studied by using the Young’s double-slit interference experiment. It is found that the topological charge of the beam will exhibit fluctuating as it propagates through a turbulent atmosphere.